The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birmingham Pride) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, effective from May 23rd, 2026, impose a temporary restriction on the flying of unmanned aircraft (drones) below 1,600 feet above mean sea level in specified areas around Birmingham City Centre to ensure public safety and security during the Birmingham Pride Parade and Festival planned for May 23rd and 24th, 2026, with the restriction being lifted unless permission is granted by the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team.
Arguments For
Ensuring public safety and security by removing potential hazards or threats from unmanned aircraft during a large public gathering for the Birmingham Pride Parade and Festival.
Providing operational reassurance to the West Midlands Police by implementing necessary airspace control measures specifically requested by law enforcement (via the Counter-UAS Team).
Maintaining air traffic order and safety by restricting low-altitude drone flights in a defined zone over the event duration, as authorized under the powers of Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Arguments Against
Temporary restriction of airspace for legitimate drone users, including commercial operators or media outlets, unless they secure specific permission from the designated police team.
Potential administrative burden for drone operators needing to cross-reference UTC timing against local BST when planning flights near the restriction zone.
The need to rely solely on the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team for exemptions might create bottlenecks if numerous requests for permission are received.
2026 No. 516
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birmingham Pride) Regulations 2026
| Made - - - | 14th May 2026 | |---------------------|-----------------| | Coming into force - | 23rd May 2026 |
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
This instrument, numbered 2026 No. 516, governs civil aviation matters and specifically restricts the flying of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, for the Birmingham Pride event.
The Secretary of State made these Regulations on May 14th, 2026, and they officially came into effect on May 23rd, 2026.
The justification for these restrictions is deemed necessary in the public interest due to the expected large gathering of people for the event.
The authority to create these rules comes from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birmingham Pride) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 23rd May 2026.
This regulation formally names the legislation as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birmingham Pride) Regulations 2026.
It confirms the commencement date, meaning the rules and restrictions begin to apply exactly at the start of May 23rd, 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This part defines that any time mentioned within Regulation 3(1) must be interpreted using Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
UTC is a successor to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and is the standard reference time internationally.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,600 feet above mean sea level-
- (a) within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1 nautical mile centred at 522825N 0015346W during the period beginning with 0800 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 23rd May 2026, or
- (b) within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 0.54 of a nautical mile centred at 522825N 0015346W during the period beginning with 0800 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 24th May 2026.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team.
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
This critical section establishes the flight restrictions for drones.
Generally, no unmanned aircraft may fly lower than 1,600 feet above sea level within two defined zones.
On May 23rd, the restriction covers a 1 nautical mile radius area around location 52°28'25"N 001°53'46"W between 08:00 and 20:00 UTC. On May 24th, the restricted radius shrinks to 0.54 nautical miles for the same time period and location.
However, Paragraph (2) provides an exemption: these altitude and area prohibitions do not apply if the drone flight has explicit permission from the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team, which manages unmanned aircraft systems countermeasures.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
14th May 2026
This confirms the document's formal signing and authorization by a representative acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport on May 14th, 2026.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Birmingham City Centre for the Birmingham Pride Parade and Festival that is due to take place there on 23rd and 24th May 2026. At the request of West Midlands Police, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted for reasons of public safety and security due to the intended gathering there of a large number of persons.
The times mentioned in regulations 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(2), the West Midlands Police CounterUAS Team may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this Statutory Instrument will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr Thomas Shainberg, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, contactable on telephone number 03301 382515.
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the purpose is to restrict drones near Birmingham City Centre for the Pride event on May 23rd and 24th, 2026, based on a request from the West Midlands Police due to public safety concerns.
It reiterates that the specified times are UTC, which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
It also informs stakeholders that full details will be issued via official aviation notices (NOTAM).
It provides contact details for the Civil Aviation Authority point person, Mr Thomas Shainberg, for aviation-related queries.
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